Single-use capsule for machines for the dispensing of infused beverages

ABSTRACT

A disposable capsule for machines for preparing beverages is provided. The capsule has a hollow, cup-shaped body with an insert having a frustoconical disk-like portion having a plurality of through openings formed in a mantle thereof, perforation members formed in a cavity thereof, and a stem that extends axially from a top portion of the frustoconical disk-like portion. The insert is axially movable between an assembly or packaging position, wherein the frustoconical disk-like portion rests on the bottom of the hollow body and the stem presses against the cover of the capsule deforming it outwards, and an opening position, wherein a free end of the stem is advanced in the axial direction and substantially aligned with a flange within the cup-shaped body, and the disk-like portion is flattened on the bottom and an perforation members interfere with the inner film thereby tearing it.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the preparation of infusedbeverages such as coffee, tea, herbal teas and the like, as well asdrinks based on syrups, and on liquid and powder concentrates startingfrom single-use capsules. More particularly, the invention relates to adisposable, single-dose or multi-dose capsule for machines for thepreparation of such beverages.

BACKGROUND

Disposable capsules used in dispensing machines for infused beveragescontain a product in granular or particulate form, for example coffee.It is known that a final beverage is obtained through an “extraction”process, whereby an infusion liquid, supplied under pressure and at ahigh temperature, typically water, crosses the capsule containing thegranular product. The infusion liquid coming out from the capsuleenriched by the aroma of the granular product is the desired beverage,which is suitably channeled within a dispensing machine and dispensedfrom a dispensing head thereof e.g. into a cup.

Known disposable capsules comprise a cup-shaped, hollow body whose opentop is provided with a flange on which a cover is tightly fixed. Thecover is generally formed of a gas-impermeable film which serves to sealthe cavity of the cup-shaped body so as to preserve over time thegranular or particulate product contained therein.

During the extraction process, the capsule is inserted into an infusionchamber and subsequently perforated with special perforator elements atthe bottom of the cup-shaped body and on the top sealed by thegas-impermeable film. The apertures thus obtained allow passage of aliquid flow through the capsule from one of its ends to the oppositeend. Depending on the type of dispensing machine, the liquid can proceedfrom the bottom of the cup-shaped body to the top or in the oppositedirection.

Since a beverage extracted from the capsule is channeled within adispensing machine and its served by a dispensing head thereof forexample into a cup, it is difficult, if not impossible, to avoid flavorcontamination between different beverages produced one after the other,for example coffee, tea and chocolate, because of beverage residualsthat remain after infusion typically on the perforator elements, butalso inside the channels formed in the dispensing head.

In order to overcome this drawback capsules for the preparation ofinfused beverages have been developed, which are opened by exploitingthe pressure of the infusion liquid by using suitable opening meanshoused inside the capsules. The extracted beverage is served from adispensing machine directly from the capsule without interacting withdispensing channels, thus avoiding any possible flavor contaminationamong different beverages.

An example of such a capsule is described in the European patent EP1472156 B1. The capsule comprises a closed chamber containing a productin granular or particulate form and opening means adapted to allowopening of the capsule, wherein opening is obtained by exploiting arelative movement between the opening means and a sealing film of thecavity. The relative movement is due to a pressure increase within thecavity caused by the infusion liquid injected into the capsule.According to an embodiment, the opening means comprise a plurality ofsharpened elements arranged on a supporting disc housed on the bottom ofthe capsule below the sealing film tightly closing the cavity. Onceperforated the film, the infused beverage which comes out from thecavity passes through channels that are formed between the film and thesharpened elements and is collected on the bottom of the capsule,wherein a dispensing aperture is formed. More particularly, the relativemovement between the opening means and the sealing film occurs once apressure threshold is exceeded, the pressure threshold being such toovercome the mechanical resistance opposed by the opening means and thesealing film.

A problem of this type of capsules is that it is difficult to accuratelypredict the pressure threshold above which opening of the capsuleoccurs. The internal pressure can in fact vary depending on thestructure of the sealing film, its thickness and the material of whichit is made, as well as according to the shape and size of the sharpenedelements, which are affected by manufacturing tolerances.

The variability of the pressure threshold above which the opening meansare activated determines a variable flow of infusion liquid through theproduct contained in the capsule. This does not allow to ensureconstancy of the organoleptic properties of an infused beverage soobtained, which can be negatively perceived by users.

This problem is solved by a disposable capsule for dispensing machinesof infused beverages which is subject matter of the co-pending Italianpatent application 102015000051841 in the Applicant's name.

This capsule is provided with opening means housed in a cavity tightlyclosed by a cover and an inner sealing film, wherein the opening meanscomprise an insert that is axially movable between an assembly orpackaging position, wherein a frusto-conical portion thereof rests onthe bottom of the capsule and a stem thereof presses against the capsulecover thus deforming it outwards, and an opening position, wherein byacting on the stem the insert is made to advance in the axial directiontowards the bottom of the capsule and a plurality of perforation membersformed in its frusto-conical portion interfere with the inner sealingfilm thereby tearing it.

According to an embodiment of the disposable capsule disclosed by theco-pending Italian patent application 102015000051841, the insertadvantageously comprises a cup-shaped element housed in the capsule in aseat formed close to a flanged edge thereof. The cup-shaped element isprovided with a central hole wherein the stem of the insert is slidablyfitted. The central hole allows to position the insert correctly insidethe capsule body during its assembly or packaging, as well as to guideit thus facilitating its axial movement to the opening position.

The stem of the insert and the central hole of the cup-shaped elementare configured so as to provide a tight coupling in the assembly orpackaging position, so that the cup-shaped element divides the cavity ofthe capsule body in two sectors, a lower sector formed between thecup-shaped element and the bottom, wherein the granular or particulateproduct is contained, and an upper sector formed between the cup-shapedelement and the cover, wherein a second product such as milk powder oranother ingredient or, more generally, a reactant, may be advantageouslyarranged during packing.

This particular type of capsule may be improved as far as the tightcoupling allowing to divide cavity of the capsule body cavity into twosectors intended to contain miscible products for the preparation of abeverage is concerned.

Since both the insert and the cup-shaped element coupled therewith aremade of plastic and manufactured by way of injection molding processes,due to manufacturing tolerances a play may be formed at the couplingbetween the insert stem and the hole of cup-shaped element, which doesnot allow to achieve a tight coupling. Conversely interference may occurbetween the insert stem and the hole of cup-shaped element, which makesit difficult to assemble the two components and hence penalizespackaging of the disposable capsule.

A tight coupling, i.e. a separation between the two sectors of thecavity of a disposable capsule body is a key element for thepreservation of the organoleptic properties of the base products, whichdetermine the quality of the final beverage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem underlying and solved by the present invention istherefore to provide a disposable capsule for dispensing machines ofinfused beverages, as well as drinks based on syrups, liquid and powderconcentrates, which allows to overcome the drawbacks mentioned abovewith reference to the prior art.

This problem is solved by a disposable capsule according to claim 1.Preferred features of the present invention are object of the dependentclaims.

An idea of solution underlying the invention is to make a disposablecapsule such as that disclosed by the Italian co-pending patentapplication 102015000051841, but wherein the coupling between the holeformed in the cup-shaped element and the insert stem is achieved by wayof a breakable collar. This collar is configured so as to yield underthe compression force applied to the insert stem when this is made toadvance in the axial direction towards the bottom of the capsule body inorder to allow the perforation members formed in the frusto-conicalportion of the insert to interfere with the inner sealing film thustearing it.

The main advantage offered by the invention is to ensure a completeseparation between the two sectors of the cavity of the capsule body,which allows to preserve the organoleptic properties of the baseproducts and therefore the quality of the beverage that can be obtainedby using them.

The portion of the stem which protrudes from the cup-shaped element inthe assembled configuration has a reduced cross section. In the openingconfiguration of the capsule, this allows to facilitate the passage ofthe product separated by the cup-shaped element from the adjacentsector, as well as the flow of an infusion liquid for preparing thebeverage.

Another advantage offered by the invention is that the capsule with itsinsert is not only usable for the preparation of infused beverages, butalso beverages based on syrups, liquid concentrates and powderconcentrates, thanks to the possibility to fill the two sectors with abase beverage product and an ingredient for completing the beverage, forexample a reagent for adding carbon dioxide gas.

Further advantages, features and operation modes of the presentinvention will become clear from the following detailed description ofsome embodiments thereof that are given by way of non-limiting examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will be made to the figures of the attached drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are top and bottom perspective views respectively showinga capsule according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the capsule of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom, perspective view of a portion of the insert of thecapsule according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top, perspective view showing a packaged capsule accordingto the invention ready for use;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the capsule of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view showing a capsule according to theinvention after use;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the capsule of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

By initially referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a capsule according to theinvention is generally indicated by reference number 100.

The capsule 100 comprises a hollow, cup-shaped body 110 adapted toreceive a measured dose of a granular or particulate product, forexample coffee powder, but also liquid concentrates like syrups. Thehollow body 110 comprises a bottom 111 and a peripheral wall 112 onwhose peripheral edge a flange 113 is formed. The hollow, cup-shapedbody 110 is closed by a cover 120 tightly fixed to the flange 113. Thecover is for example a film made of a polylaminate material, which hasthe function to seal the body cavity so as to allow to preserve overtime of the granular or particulate product contained therein.

A through opening 114 is formed in the bottom 111 so as to allowdispensing of an infused beverage obtainable by the granular orparticulate product. The through opening 114 has e.g. a circularcross-section.

In the illustrated embodiment, the through opening 114 has a funnelshape that facilitates the outflow of an infused beverage and isreinforced by a plurality of radial ribs 115.

The through opening 114 is sealed by an inner film 130 applied on thebottom 111 of the hollow body 110 and made e.g. of a polylaminatematerial. The inner film 130 defines with the peripheral wall 112 andthe cover 120 a closed chamber suitable to store the granular orparticulate product.

The capsule 100 further comprises an insert 200 housed in its body 110.The insert 200 extends axially from the bottom 111 of the hollow body110 to the cover 120.

The insert 200 comprises a frustoconical, disk-like portion 210 having aperipheral edge 211 intended to rest on the bottom 111 of the body 110of the capsule 100 and a mantle 212 wherein a plurality of throughopenings 213 allowing flow of an infused beverage are formed. Thethrough openings 213 are preferably circular or polygonal shaped, forexample square shaped as shown in FIG. 3.

The frustoconical disk-like portion 210 further includes one or moreperforation members 214 which protrude axially from its cavity.

The insert 200 also includes a stem 220 which extends axially from thetop of the frustoconical disk-shaped portion 210.

The insert 200 also comprises a cup-shaped element 230 housed in thebody 110 of the capsule 100 in a seat 116 formed closed to its flangededge. The seat 116 preferably includes circumferential ribs 117configured to snap lock the cup-shaped element 230 at its cylindricalmantle; to this aim the cup-shaped element 230 comprises acircumferential rib 231.

According to the invention, the stem 220 and the cup-shaped element 230are restrained to one another by way of breakable connecting means, thewhole configuration being such that the insert 200, fitted inside thecavity of the cup-shaped body 110 of a capsule, separates said cavityinto two adjacent sectors that do not communicate with each other. Thebreakable connecting means are made in the form of connecting portionshaving a cross-section smaller than the cross-sections of the parts theyconnect. In other words, the breakable means are weakened portionsconfigured to yield beyond a predetermined load threshold withoutcausing deformations of the parts they connect.

The stem 220 includes an end portion 221 which, in an assembledconfiguration of the disposable capsule 100, protrudes axially beyondthe flanged edge of the body 110.

The end portion 221 includes a base 221 a from which a plurality ofelements 221 b stretch out axially.

Now referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, according to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the end portion 221 is advantageously formed integrallywith the cup-shaped element 230 and restrained thereto by way of abreakable collar 222, which allows to simplify the manufacturing processand the assembly of the insert 200. In FIGS. 5 and 7, the cover 120 ofthe disposable capsule 100 is shown partially transparent in order tobetter clarify operation of the insert 200.

As shown in the longitudinal section of FIG. 6, in an assembledconfiguration of the disposable capsule 100 the peripheral edge 211 ofthe disk-shaped frustoconical portion 210 of the insert 200 rests on thebottom 111 of the body 110 of the capsule 100, so that the perforationmembers 214 face the film 130 that seals the bottom 111. The insert 200is configured such that the perforation members 214 are arranged closeto the film 130 without touching it. The cup-shaped element 230 isarranged in its seat 116 and the end portion 221 contacts the stem 220.

Centering between the stem 220 and its end portion 221 may beadvantageously facilitated by way of a shape coupling in the axialdirection. In the illustrated embodiment, the stem 220 includes e.g. aseat 220 a and the end portion 221 includes a pin 221 c having amatching shape.

As mentioned above, the end portion 221 protrudes axially beyond theflanged edge of the body 110 of the capsule 100 and presses against thecover 120 thus giving it a convex or dome shape.

After insertion of the capsule into an infusion chamber of a machine fordispensing infused beverages, the infusion chamber is tightly closed andthus blocks the capsule typically at its flanged edge. It is known thatthe cover is compressed and perforated directly during the closing stepor immediately afterwards by one or more perforators that allowinjection of an infusion liquid.

Now particularly referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, it will be appreciatedthat, due to the configuration of the capsule 100 and of the insert 200disclosed above, the compression of the cover 120 makes the stem 220move in the axial direction pushed by its end portion 221; this causes adeformation of the disk-shaped frustoconical portion 210, which isflattened and brings the perforation members 214 formed therein towardsthe film 130. The film 130 is consequently torn. The capsule 100 is thusopen both at the cover 120 and at the inner film 130 and thus allowsflow of an infusion liquid.

In other words, the insert 200 is axially movable between an assembly orpackaging position, wherein the end portion 221 of the stem 220 pressesthe cover 120 of the capsule 100 thus deforming it outwards, and anopening position, wherein the end of the stem 220 is advanced in theaxial direction and substantially aligned with the flange 113, and thedisk-like portion 210 is flattened on the bottom 111 and the perforationmembers 214 interfere and tear the inner film 130.

As described above, it will be also appreciated that compression of thecover 120 also determines detachment of the end portion 221 of the stem220 from the cup-shaped element 230, which occurs in a programmed mannerat the breakable collar 222 that is a suitably weakened connectingportion between the end portion 221 and the cup-shaped element 230.

Consequently, the product contained in the sector formed between thecup-shaped element 230 and the cover 120 is moved by gravity and/or dueto a flow of infusion liquid into the adjacent sector through the axialpassage that is formed by breaking the breakable collar 222, thus beingmixed with the product contained in this sector and forming thebeverage.

The beverage so obtained progressively flows out from the disposablecapsule through the film 130 and the opening 114 formed on the bottom110 of the capsule 100.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the stem 220can be fitted into a through opening formed axially in the cup-shapedelement 230 so that its end portion 221 protrudes therefrom axially of alength sufficient to cause deformation of the cover 120 of the capsule100. The stem 220 is restrained to the cup-shaped element 230 by way ofa breakable collar formed along the peripheral edge of this throughopening.

The present invention has hereto been disclosed with reference topreferred embodiments. It will be appreciated that there may be otherembodiments based on the same inventive idea, as defined by the scope ofprotection of the claims set out below.

1. A disposable capsule for machines for preparing beverages, saidcapsule comprising: i) a hollow, cup-shaped body adapted to receive ameasured dose of a granular or particulate product, said hollow bodycomprising a bottom wherein a through opening is formed, a peripheralwall and a flange formed on a peripheral edge of said peripheral wall;ii) a cover tightly fixed on said flange; iii) an inner film applied onsaid bottom so as to seal said through opening; and iv) an insert housedin said hollow body, said insert comprising a frustoconical disk-likeportion, said frustoconical disk-like portion having a plurality ofthrough openings formed in a mantle thereof and perforation membersformed in a cavity thereof, and a stem that extends axially from a topportion of said frustoconical disk-like portion, wherein the insert isaxially movable between an assembly or packaging position, wherein saidfrustoconical disk-like portion rests on the bottom of the hollow bodyand said stem presses against said cover deforming it outwards, and anopening position, wherein a free end of the stem is advanced in theaxial direction and substantially aligned with said flange, and thedisk-like portion is flattened on the bottom and said perforationmembers interfere with the inner film thereby tearing it, and whereinthe insert further comprises a cup-shaped element restrained to the bodyof the capsule in a seat formed close to its flange, wherein the stemand the cup-shaped element are coupled to one another by means ofbreakable connecting means, the overall configuration being such thatthe insert, fitted into the cavity of the body of the capsule, separatesthe cavity into two sectors adjacent to each other and not communicatingwith each other.
 2. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the stemcomprises an end portion which, in an assembled configuration of thedisposable capsule, axially protrudes beyond the flanged edge of itsbody.
 3. A The capsule according to claim 2, wherein said end portion isformed integrally with the cup-shaped element and restrained thereto byway of a breakable collar, said collar forming the breakable connectingmeans.
 4. The capsule according to claim 3, wherein the stem and its endportion are connected axially through a shape coupling.
 5. A The capsuleaccording to claim 2, wherein the stem is fitted in a through openingformed axially in the cup-shaped element so that said end portionprotrudes axially therefrom, and wherein the stem is restrained to thecup-shaped element by way of a breakable collar formed along theperipheral edge of said through-opening, said collar forming thebreakable means.